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Nevada covers more than 110,500 square miles, making it one of the largest states in terms of area. However, much of the state is covered by desert, including the Mojave in the south and the Great Basin to the north. The biggest vacation destinations in the Silver State, a land of great natural beauty, lie close to Nevada’s border with California and include Reno/Carson City, Lake Tahoe and Las Vegas.

Reno/Carson City

Reno, bisected by the Truckee River, is a major casino gambling center and home to scores of motels, hotels, bed and breakfasts and campgrounds that offer accommodations to suit every taste and budget. For a trip back into the Old West, don’t miss Virginia City, which lies high in the mountains between Reno and Carson City and was a mining boomtown after the discovery of the Comstock Lode silver vein in 1859. Carson City, a relatively low-key state capital, enjoys a Mediterranean-type climate with mild winters and an average annual high temperature of 66.3 degrees Fahrenheit and a low of 34.9 degrees. If you have time, ride the steam-engine driven Virginia & Truckee Railroad that carries passengers back and forth between Carson City and Virginia City. Reno, Carson City and the Washoe Valley between the two cities offers visitors numerous golf course and a wide array of other recreational activities.

Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority

300 N. Center St.

Reno, NV 89501

800-367-7366

visitrenotahoe.com

Typical Weather

Carson City, Nevada in

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The temperature in Carson City, Nevada in December tends to be very predictable, so you can generally count on the forecast and travel light.

The temperature in Carson City, Nevada in December is somewhat unpredictable, so be on the safe side and prepare for a variety of conditions.

The temperature in Carson City, Nevada in December is highly unpredictable, so use the forecast as a guide, but be ready for anything!

Lake Tahoe

Nestled in a large natural bowl surrounded by peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Lake Tahoe lies west of the Reno/Carson City area and enjoys an alpine climate at an elevation 1,700 feet higher than the valley cities. Skiing, boating and a wide array of other recreational activities attract visitors to the lake, which Nevada shares with California. However, the Nevada side of the lake has an extra added attraction for vacationers with the availability of casino gambling. Two major centers for casinos in the Tahoe area–the Incline Village area near the northeast corner of the lake and Stateline on the southeast shores of the lake--lure visitors interested in gaming.

Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce

169 U.S. Highway 50, 3rd Floor

Stateline, NV 89449

775-558-1728

tahoechamber.org

Las Vegas

For decades, this city in the desert had a virtual monopoly on casino gambling in America. Although casinos now pop up across the United States, no place does it quite like Vegas. Vacationers are drawn to the city by the opulence of the casino hotels, the incredible variety of big-name entertainment and the air of fantasy that’s created by the lights and sounds of the world-famous Strip. However, vacationers who take the time to look behind the lights and glitz will find that Las Vegas and its environs offer plenty of non-casino attractions that are well worth a visit. These include the College of Southern Nevada Planetarium, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Mount Charleston and Hoover Dam.

Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority

3150 Paradise Road

Las Vegas, NV 89109

877-847-4858

visitlasvegas.com

References

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About the Author

Don Amerman has spent his entire professional career in the editorial field. For many years he was an editor and writer for The Journal of Commerce. Since 1996 he has been freelancing full-time, writing for a large number of print and online publishers including Gale Group, Charles Scribner’s Sons, Greenwood Publishing, Rock Hill Works and others.

Leaf Group is a USA TODAY content partner providing general travel information. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.

Images related to Carson City, Nevada

Paul Laxalt State Building - formerly the U.S. Court House &amp; Post Office, now home to the Nevada Commission on Tourism in Carson City, Nevada

Image taken September 1, 2016 One of the last images of the Wild Mustangs in the Truckee Meadows prior to a rapid expansion of homes. Steamboat Creek in the foreground with Carson City to the south. Construction is underway for 2000+ homes within the Truckee Meadow of east Reno Nevada.